Just starting out: my journey as a newer CRNA
As an ODU graduate from the class of 2021, I recently started my career within a community hospital. After first beginning as an LPN and then progressing to an RN, I ran into a friend who happened to be an APRN. Hearing about her role and learning more about the work she was doing was inspiring and my pride in her journey motivated me to research various career paths and education needed to further my own path.
Immediately, it became clear that anesthesia was the only career that interested me. I’ve had numerous mentors along my way, but there are a few who stand out: I went to Thomas Nelson for Organic Chemistry and Professor Mahfouz was brilliant. She made me fall in love with chemistry and that solidified my decision to pursue nurse anesthesia.
Another woman dominating in her field who inspired me is Jean Snyder. She mentored me through my DNP project, and it was inspiring to see her work and to learn from her. She wears many hats and you never see her sweat!
As a CRNA, I love my job. It has afforded me the life I have always dreamed about. I am able to go to work happy and leave happy, and I’m no longer stressed. I love where I work, what I do, and who I work with. From my perspective, there are no drawbacks.
In terms of preparedness, ODU prepared me for everything I’ve encountered in my career thus far. I secured a job before graduating and was able to have clinical at my place of employment, easing the transition from SRNA to CRNA. As a new graduate, I couldn’t have asked for more.
As a young mother, I’m adjusting to this new balance and am taking this time to learn the ropes from the people around me; grateful for a beautiful work-life balance. I look forward to the day I can be more formally involved in my professional organizations!
